Launch of Website on Groundwater and Drought Management Issues for SADC Region

The objective of the Groundwater and Drought Management Project is to develop consensus on a regional strategic approach to support and enhance the capacity of SADC Member States in the definition of drought management policies, specifically in relation to the role, availability (magnitude and recharge) and supply potential of groundwater resources.

Senior Programme Manager for Water at the SADC secretariat Phera Pamoeli says “It is our hope that the website will contribute to increased awareness and understanding of groundwater and groundwater drought management in the region, resulting in the incorporation of groundwater principles into policy development and decision making throughout the SADC region”.

Groundwater is an essential resource of great social, environmental and economic importance in the SADC region where it is the source of water for 70 percent of the population. However, there is inadequate awareness, limited resources and capacity in the region to implement effective management of groundwater and drought mitigation.

With continuous population growth and industrial expansion impacting the state of groundwater around the world, implementing comprehensive groundwater management strategies is critical.

The website will provide information on issues affecting groundwater management in the SADC region as well as serve as a forum for information sharing on groundwater and drought management-related issues among decision makers, groundwater experts, water managers, researchers and the media.

About the SADC Groundwater and Drought Management Project

The SADC Groundwater and Drought Management is part of the regional Groundwater Management Programme (GMP), whose overall objective is to promote the sustainable development of groundwater resources at a regional level, incorporating research, assessment, exploitation and protection, particularly related to groundwater drought management. The Project is a partnership between SADC, working through the Water Division, in the Infrastructure and Services Directorate, the governments and government departments of SADC Member States.  Its implementation began in January 2007 with support from The Global Environmental Facility Trust Fund (TF 055090 SADC) with The World Bank as implementing agency, and the SADC Member States.

For more information contact:

Barbara Lopi, Communications Officer;
SADC Groundwater and Drought Management Project
Plot 115, Unit 7b, Kgale Mews; Private Bag 282, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267 3953386         Fax: +267 3928349       Cell: +267 72112560
Email: Barbaralo@unops.org; blopi@sadc.int

Website www.sadc-groundwater.org